Your shoulder likely hurts when you rotate it due to soreness or injury within the structures that enable that motion. The most common culprits are issues with the rotator cuff tendons or the subacromial bursa.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain During Rotation
Here's a breakdown of why you might experience shoulder pain when rotating your arm:
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Rotator Cuff Tendonitis/Tears: The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint, providing stability and enabling a wide range of motion, including rotation. Repetitive motions, overuse, or sudden injuries can inflame or tear these tendons. When this happens, rotating your arm can irritate the affected tendon, causing pain. This pain is often felt on the outside of your shoulder and may radiate down your arm.
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Subacromial Bursitis: Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles around joints. The subacromial bursa is located beneath the acromion (the highest point of the shoulder blade). When this bursa becomes inflamed (bursitis), it can cause pain, especially during movements like rotation, as the tendons rub against the inflamed bursa.
Other Possible Causes
While rotator cuff issues and bursitis are the most common causes, other possibilities include:
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Shoulder Impingement: This occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff get compressed as they pass through a narrow space under the acromion.
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Osteoarthritis: The breakdown of cartilage in the shoulder joint can lead to pain and stiffness, especially during movement.
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Labral Tears: The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilize the shoulder joint. Tears in the labrum can cause pain, clicking, and a feeling of instability.
What You Should Do
If you're experiencing persistent shoulder pain, it's important to consult a doctor or physical therapist. They can accurately diagnose the cause of your pain and recommend the appropriate treatment, which may include:
- Rest and Activity Modification: Avoiding activities that aggravate your pain.
- Ice and Heat Therapy: Applying ice to reduce inflammation and heat to relax muscles.
- Pain Medication: Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers.
- Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles and improve range of motion.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.
- Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair torn tendons or address other structural problems.
In summary, shoulder pain during rotation is frequently linked to rotator cuff or bursa issues. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial for a precise diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.
